SOFTBALL: West Frankfort eliminates DMS
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[DuQuoin Middle School had a great season--ending with a 17-5 record and making it to the Regional Championship game at Murphysboro. West Frankfort ended DMS's hopes of going to the State Tournament by winning the championship game 10-2 in seven innings on Tuesday. DMS was also co-champs of the conference along with Pinckneyville.
The game went two innings before either team scored. West Frankfort took the lead in the third inning scoring two runs. West Frankfort plated three more in the fifth inning. DuQuoin scored one in the fifth to make the score 5-1. West Frankfort scored five more runs in the sixth inning for their ten runs. DuQuoin managed to score one more run in the seventh to make the final score 10-2.
The losing pitcher for DuQuoin was Jordyn Bullar. Her final record is 15-3. She allowed ten runs (5 earned), 9 hits, had 4 walks, one hit batter, and 4 strikeouts. The winning pitcher for West Frankfort was Sarah Aldridge. Aldridge went all seven innings, allowing two earned runs, six hits, had one walk, one hit batter, and 4 strikeouts. DuQuoin made four very costly errors in the contest, while West Frankfort had only two errors.
DuQuoin had six hits in the game. Sydney Lewis scored both runs for DuQuoin getting on with a walk and hit by a pitch. Hannah Marek was 1-4. Jordyn Bullar was 1-4 with a double and both RBIs. Harley Dearmond was 1-2. Timbra Mansfield 1-3 with a double. Alaina Caldwell had a good day at the plate going 2-3. Other Warriors getting playing time were Brittany Clark, Nikki Ridgeway, Kat Robison, and Emily Born.
Coach Jason James was obviously disappointed in the loss. Coach James pointed out, "I am very proud of our season. A 17-5 record and a Co-Conference Championship is something to be proud of. We made it to the regional championship game. Not bad for a team that went 1-12 in the summer, and nobody expected much out of. I am very pleased with our work ethic, and it is something these girls have to maintain in the summer and throughout their careers."
West Frankfort moves on to the State Tournament being held this weekend at Centralia.